Solo holiday booked but I'm terrified

[Powergower]

A few months ago in a fit of craziness I booked a solo holiday. Dh doesn't have enough annual leave and the kids are away at uni. I've got loads of leave to take so decided to book a solo holiday to a lovely little hotel we've been to many times.

Now it's almost time to travel I'm terrified! I'm scared I'll feel lonely and sad thoughts and memories from the past will flood in. I'm only going for a week so know that if I hate it I'll be home soon enough. I need to get used to travelling alone as I work pt and have so much more time off then dh and I'm sick of spending it sitting at home.

I've loaded up my kindle and trying to be positive but my heart is racing and I'm honestly so so scared. I love being alone and my own company so am shocked at feeling so scared. Has anyone travelled alone and hated it or loved it? Can you share your experiences?

Have been on several holidays alone and really enjoyed them. The first time is the hardest but I have always met lovely people and had a great time. (My husband doesn't do flying).

Yes many times and enjoyed them all

it is daunting the hardest part I found (at first) was eating alone so always make sure you have a book/kindle

Some places I’ve met people others not but having time to just thinks for yourself is so enjoyable (if you allow it to be)

I really miss holidaying alone. You can do what you like, when you like. Whenever you travel with someone else you always have to compromise a lot. My husband, for example, can't relax. He always has to be doing things. It's relentless.
The only problem for me was always mealtimes. I don't much like going to restaurants on my own so it would usually be street food or fast food.

I'm away now for a week alone, at a European destination. I've already met several woman in the hotel, also alone!
Hand on heart - I don't think I can ever travel or share a room again ever! I crave solitude now and even before I'd left for this holiday I booked another again next year.
I have plenty of mates and two daughters but this is how I want to live from now on.

I think it's entirely normal to feel scared doing this the first time OP. I've never been on holiday on my own and if I did I'm sure I'd feel the same as you the first time. My DSis travels alone a lot though and has gradually got braver and braver with it. The first time, she too was worried she's be lonely or sad, but she found it quite liberating and now it's normal. Feel the fear and do it anyway!

Dont worry!! I have done a few solo trips and also a few single parent trips and just before we went i always had a ffs what have i done?? Moment. I probably feel like that until i have arrived and settled in and then its fine.

Firstly, if you Dont enjoy it, you never have to do it again even if it would make 'sense'. Don't put that pressure on yourself.

Even if you do have lovely memories wouldn't they make you feel warm and fuzzy as oppose to sad?

Some days will be great and you will have a good chat with someone and enjoy a walk and your book etc. Some days may not work out quite so well and you may feel the 'aloneness' a bit more. But thats life. But if anything that experience helps you pick the sort of place and thing you want to do next time. Somewhere busier, quieter, less families, more entertainment, hotel restaurants vs external restaurants. Its trial and error. You may not hit perfection on your first solo trip. But how awful can a week in the sun relaxing reading your book be?

You will be fine!

I am currently on a bus to Gdansk. I've been alone since last Wednesday. I travel several times a year by myself and have done since my kids were about 3 years old.
Nothing to be scared of tbh.
Best advice is make yourself a plan of things you want to do and see while you are there and go exploring.
I normally book hotels with a gym and pool for something to do at night although I also go out and see the city/ area by night and find a bar to have pint now and again

Sometimes. I go to the local cinema at night as well. Usually an English film will be dubbed or subtitled or go and see something in that language you can usually work out the plot!🤣

I have only done solo trips to big cities like Paris, New York and LA and I have just exhausted myself each day by walking around loads during the day so that in the evenings when I think I might start to feel lonely I have been absolutely shattered and just enjoyed dinner in my room and then bed. I quite like it, but it is a different type of holiday compared to when you are travelling with somebody.I just like being able to do as I please mainly and I don't have to stay up late to be social or go places I have no interest in.

I holiday alone, but I'm single with no kids so not the same.
Enjoy yourself. Enjoy being on your own schedule, choosing whatever you want do, and do make sure you do what you want not what you think you should.

You'll be fine, hope you enjoy your books and the evah he of scene.

I travel alone quite a lot, because I've always had more annual leave and disposable income than DP. I mostly take small group tour type holidays, so there are activities / sightseeing during the day and company at meal times. I wouldn't like a week alone in a resort-type hotel but that's mainly because I find that kind of holiday boring in general. If you're happy to lie on the beach / by the pool with some music and a book then it could be the perfect relaxing and unwinding break.

Enjoy it!

I’m so jealous!

You will have a wonderful time.

Thank you all so much. I guess my biggest fear is that I might get really lonely and depressed, sat with my own thoughts. It's been a horrible few years and I've been extremely overwhelmed with life. I'm feeling much better reading everyone's comments here.

I've loaded up my kindle, packed my skincare and cossie and got my music ready. Wish me luck.

It will be fabulous! have a great time.

I’ve never travelled alone, but I have been to gigs alone, and am happy to sit in a cafe alone. I find that people are generally happy to chat, and a book/magazine is always a good idea.

You lucky thing. Gdansk was an early solo holiday for me. It's beautiful.

@Powergower ride the fear. Being alone doesn't mean you're lonely.

Solo travel means such freedom. Doing what you want, when you want and how you want. No other person's desires to take into account. It's liberating.

I'm hopefully booking my next trip this week. I love getting away alone.

Try to relax and watch what is going on around you. I find people watching whilst sat drinking coffee/water/whatever gets me away from my own thoughts.

I hope you enjoy your holiday. I'm off on Wednesday too. Can't wait 😁

If you have been there before, it will be a breeze, it will feel almost home-from-home.

Are you going somewhere pretty and scenic?
I have been away a few times alone and absolutely bloody love it !
Relax and enjoy!

The hotel has a gym, sauna, spa, pool, lots of exercise classes, a walking track along the beach and lots of restaurants and entertainment. I'm taking a travel lock to be extra safe, but don't think I'll be leaving the resort too much for my first time solo travelling.

What I'm looking forward to the most is reading, walking, listening to podcasts, not cooking or cleaning, subathing and eating.

It'll be very strange not sharing a room or waiting around for the family to be ready for dinner. Heck, I might even go crazy and have lays crisps and a glass of wine for dinner every night!

Done this a few times and loved it!

I'm envious OP, enjoy! I'm sure there will be people around to get chatting to if you feel the urge. Sit at the bar, chat to the staff! Maybe go on a guided tour or boat trip for a change from the hotel?

It sounds bloody brilliant op where are you going and can I come? I promise not to be too annoying I like a bit of quiet time reading my book.

Sounds amazing! Some time when you only have to do what YOU want to do. Yes, I've been away several times on my own - a few long weekends and one solo trip round South America for six months You definitely get those moments when you feel anxious or indecisive but ultimately it's massively positive and restorative and rebuilds your relationship with yourself. Enjoy!

OP it’s amazing. My favourite bit is when you wake up in the centre of a double bed and can get up whenever you want and do whatever you want and don’t have to think about anyone else’s thoughts / feelings.

You can do activities that you want to do without getting someone else’s opinion. So eg if you like looking at old churches or sunbathing or horseriding or spa you can just do that.

(Obviously as a solo female traveller do what’s appropriate for the region. So when alone in Dubai / Morocco I either stayed in the resort or hired a tour group to take me out.)

Load up your kindle, email the hotel in advance to book footrub or whatever you fancy, and have a lovely time 👌

My sister goes away all the time on her own, she is 41. She has been to Bali, Austrailia, New york and many other places. She has no kids and is single. She loves her solo holidays. I personally haven't been away alone but I would, yes I'd be a little nervous bit I admire people that can go away alone.